Why Storage SSDs are Faster than Hard Drives

For many people purchasing laptops today, their main dilemma is whether to opt for SSD or Hard Disk Drives. The truth is, there is no direct solution to this dilemma as they both have their advantages and disadvantages. In that case, it goes down to the buyer to decide on what works best. However, if you are looking for better choice regarding speed, SSDs provide a better option as you will see in this article.

The definition of SSD Storage

SSD stands for Solid State Drive. To make it more elaborate, if you know about USB devices, SSD can be defined as USBs with more defined and sophisticated features. Solid State Drives do not have any moving parts, but instead, they store their information in microchips.

What makes SSD Faster?

Now that you know what these devices are, it is time to figure out why they are faster as compared to hard drives. Here are some of the main reasons:

1. SSDs used NAND-based Technology

NAND flash memory is a way of storing data in smaller, portable and easy to retrieve devices and works mainly as a secondary method of storage. Since NAND memory is non- volatile, it is very hard for the user to lose critical information. This allows SSDs to operate faster without losing their memories for over two centuries. Therefore, if you put information in an SSD, chances are the information will outlive you.

When they were first introduced to the market, there were rumors that the SSDs would wear out thereby losing information. However, the growth of technology has addressed that problem. Today, you not only have information that lasts for longer but also has faster services.

2. Writes files across the cells faster

As compared to hard drives, SSDs can write files sporadically over the cells without necessarily interfering with reading times. The logic here is simple. The faster there is access to the cells simultaneously, the faster the files are read. This is as opposed to hard disks where the discs fragment. Fragmenting means that as you read the data on your hard drive, the discs crowd leading to slower reading rates. SSDs have solved this fragmenting problem completely, therefore, giving them an upper hand.

3. SSDS do not have any moving parts

When the devices are new, they all provide better and faster services. However, they are prone to wear and tear just like any other machines. Regardless of that, we can say that SSDs are more durable and stand a higher chance of giving faster services continuously as compared to hard disks. This is because SSDs do not have any moving parts, unlike HDDs that have moving mechanisms that are prone to faster wear and tear.

Taking a practical example, if you take accidentally dropped an HDD laptop; chances are the moving parts on the Hard disk will collide leading to slower services or loss of data. On the other hand, dropping an SSD laptop will not have any adverse effects on your data because all its parts are intact thereby removing any chances of collision.

4. SSDs use more advanced technology

Hard disks provided the only way of data storage in the past. However, as technology grew, the introduction of NAND-based storage devices allowed for better and faster services. It is, therefore, no surprise that SSDs are faster than HDDs because the former has enhanced improvements both in its physical and logical structures. For instance, SSDs come in different shapes and sizes. This means that they can fit in most devices and still be able to provide their services conveniently. HDDs on the other hand “are rigid to change” thereby they will continue to play second fiddle to SSDs.

Conclusion

While there are many things that laptop buyers look for before purchasing any device, one of the most basic ones is the means of data storage. Both HDD and SSD have their pros and cons. However, if you compare the two regarding the speed of reading and writing, you will realize that SSDs come out on top. Some of the reasons as to why this is so include the fact that SSDs uses a more advanced technology, write across cells faster and do not have any moving parts. The next time you are out to purchase a laptop based on speed, SSD is your option.